KEEPERS 293 



properly represented, see how much more desirable 

 it is to have all the mansions and residences in the 

 country inhabited by families of a sociable disposi- 

 tion, in preference to their being vacant, which 

 would be the case if there were no fox-hounds to 

 induce men to reside in the country ; and that those 

 gentlemen who do preserve game monopohse so 

 great a portion of the land, that only a few can 

 enjoy shooting, but hundreds can enjoy hunting, 

 whose whole sport and inducement to reside in the 

 country is annihilated by this person's keeper kill- 

 ing foxes. Indeed, if there are ladies who do not 

 approve of fox-hunting, the ■\\Titer only requests 

 that they "v\'ill compare the private amusements of 

 some men who do not hunt ^\dth those who do ; 

 for men must have some amusement, and it ^\dll be 

 found, that the balance preponderates in favour of 

 the fox-hunter ; for instance, the folloA\ang sketch. 

 Shortly after breakfast, say nine o'clock, he leaves 

 home, probably with this last request from his wife, 

 " Do not forget to ask those several famihes to dine 

 with us such a day " ; which would not have been 

 thought of, but owing to this chance of meeting 

 them in the field, where he sees nearly all the best 

 society in the neighboiu-hood, and returns after 

 having had a good day's sport and plenty of 



